Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 375 Worship God and Set Off Firecrackers

Xiaoyu turned to Yuyu and Lihao and said, "These chickens will be cooked later and used to worship the gods. We pray to the gods for peace and prosperity for our family in the new year."

Yuyu nodded obediently: "Mom, I know. I will make a good wish when I worship the gods."

Li Hao smiled and said, "Then you have to think carefully about what wish to make."

As he was speaking, the water in the pot had already boiled, and the chicken was rolling in the water, emitting bursts of meaty aroma.

Cover the pot with a lid, turn down the heat, and let the chicken simmer slowly.

While waiting, Yu Yu was not idle either.

She ran to take down the soy sauce duck and pickled fish that were hung to dry yesterday, and carefully checked whether they had been blown away by the wind.

Li Hao helped Xiaoyu place other offerings for worshiping the gods on the tray, including fresh fruits, rice cakes, fried sesame balls, steaming dumplings and rice dumplings.

Soon, the chicken was cooked.

Xiaoyu took out the chicken with smooth skin and tender meat and placed it on a large plate. The golden chicken was still steaming and exuding an enticing aroma.

The family placed the prepared offerings: chicken, fish and pork, neatly on the altar, with the chicken in the most conspicuous position in the middle.

Everything is ready, and they begin the worship ceremony with a pious heart, praying for family happiness and success in the new year.

On this New Year's Eve full of hope and blessings, every action and every wish carries the family's yearning for a better life.

After the worship ceremony, the family looked solemn.

Xiaoyu took out stacks of carefully prepared paper money from the house, handed them to Yuyu and Lihao, and said, "Come, let's burn some paper money so that our ancestors can also feel our thoughts and wishes."

Li Hao took the paper money, found an open and safe place in the yard, squatted down, and sorted the paper money one by one.

Yu Yu took the lighter, squatted down carefully, and lit a corner of the paper money.

The flames quickly jumped up, devouring the paper money, and the ashes rose with the hot air, swirling in the air.

Xiaoyu murmured softly, "Ancestors, it's New Year's Eve. I hope everything is well with you over there. Please bless our family with peace, health, and success in the new year."

Yu Yu and Li Hao also prayed silently in their hearts, hoping that their ancestors would protect their families.

A gentle breeze blew by, causing the flames to flicker.

The leaping flames seemed to be a bridge connecting the Yin and Yang worlds, carrying the family's thoughts and respect for their ancestors.

The paper money gradually turned into ashes in the flames, but the family's beautiful expectations for the New Year became stronger and stronger.

After burning the paper, the family carefully cleaned up the ashes.

At this moment, the sunlight shines through the clouds into the yard, as if adding a sense of peace to this solemn and heartwarming ceremony.

After finishing the paper burning, the family, with the remembrance of their ancestors and anticipation for the New Year, turned to the busy preparations for the New Year's Eve dinner.

As the family burned paper, cats and dogs seemed to feel the joy and peace in this special atmosphere.

The Husky changed from his usual lively and mischievous self and lay quietly on the side, sweeping the ground lightly with his tail. There was a hint of curiosity and cleverness in his eyes. From time to time, he looked up at his owner and then at the burning paper money.

Several local dogs gathered around the family, wagging their tails and making soft "woohoo" sounds in their throats, as if they were feeling the New Year atmosphere with everyone, and occasionally sniffing the smell of paper ashes floating in the air.

The three little guys, Pomeranian, Bichon Frise and Corgi, huddled together, staring at the flames of the burning paper money with their sparkling eyes, jumping lightly with excitement, and scratching the ground with their little paws, as if they also wanted to participate in this special activity.

The calico cat walked gracefully to the altar, circled the table slowly, then jumped onto the stool next to it and squatted quietly, watching the family's every move, moving its ears from time to time, as if listening to the family's prayers for their ancestors.

When the family finished cleaning up the ashes and were about to turn around to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner, the cats and dogs followed happily behind.

The Husky ran in the front, circling around Yu Yu's family's feet; the local dogs followed behind the Husky, wagging their tails excitedly.

The Pomeranian, Bichon Frise and Corgi followed closely with their short legs, jumping and hopping; the calico cat walked slowly with its tail held high.

After the worship was finished, the family quickly divided the work and began to clean up the place where they worshipped.

Yu Yu was responsible for tidying up the offerings on the altar. She carried the neatly arranged fruits, cakes, cooked chicken, etc. into the kitchen one by one, her movements brisk and careful.

Li Hao picked up the broom and carefully swept the dust and debris on the ground, leaving no corner untouched.

Xiaoyu was also busy. She carefully scooped up the ashes from the burning paper with a dustpan and took them outside the yard for proper disposal.

In a short while, the place was cleaned up.

Li Hao took out a long string of firecrackers from the house and walked to the center of the yard.

Yuyu jumped around excitedly, yelling, "Let's set off firecrackers! Let's set off firecrackers!"

Xiaoyu stood at the door with a smile on her face and her eyes full of anticipation for the New Year.

Li Hao hung the firecrackers on a tree branch, took out a lighter, and slowly approached the fuse of the firecrackers.

With a "hiss", the fuse was ignited and sparks quickly spread along the fuse.

"Crackle! Crackle!" The firecrackers exploded instantly, the sound was crisp and loud, echoing throughout the yard.

Colorful confetti flew everywhere with the sound of firecrackers, as if they were colorful gifts from the New Year.

The cats and dogs were startled by the sudden noise.

The Husky was stunned at first, then ran and barked excitedly around the firecrackers.

The local dogs hid in the corner, cautiously poking their heads out to watch the excitement.

The Pomeranian, Bichon Frise and Corgi were so scared that they huddled together, their little bodies trembling slightly, but they couldn't help looking around curiously.

The calico cat jumped onto the roof in a flash, squatted there, and looked at everything below vigilantly.

Amid the sound of firecrackers, the family's faces were filled with happy smiles.

The lively sound of firecrackers not only dispels the gloom of the old year, but also brings joy and hope to the new year.

The sound of firecrackers gradually stopped, and the air was filled with a faint smell of gunpowder.

Xiaoyu looked at the yard after the bustle, smiled and said to Yuyu and Lihao: "Okay, wash your hands and prepare the New Year's Eve dinner later."

Yuyu was a little surprised: "Ah, so early?"

Xiaoyu explained as she walked into the house, "There are quite a few dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner, so it'll take some time to prepare. If we start early, we can have a hot and hearty New Year's Eve dinner on time tonight."

Li Hao nodded in agreement: "Yes, Yuyu, and some dishes will taste better if they are prepared in advance."

The three of them went to the kitchen and washed their hands carefully in the basin first.